Loading...
The Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-04-30, Page 1Children's needs shoul BY SUSAN HUNDERTMARK A Goderich youth runs away from home to Toronto where he becomes involved in male prostitution until one night when he calls the Family and Children Services of- fice after a frightening experience at gun- point Social workers bring him home but have 'no power to stop him from running again. In London, youths as young as 12 are liv- ing a precarious life of drug abuse and pro- stitution but because of legislation such as the Young Offenders Act and the Child and Family Services Act, social workers can do nothing to change the situation. "These kids are slowly committing suicide and we can't (tet a handle on the situation," psychologist Alan Leschied told the annual of meeting of Family and Children Services in Goderich last Wednesday. "Runaways, prostitution and drug abuse, seem to have been given encouragement with the relative inability of the legislation to allow police and child care personnel to act in controlling the out -of -control behavior of some of our young people," he said. Because recent legislation was formed around the belief in children's rights, Leschied questioned whether there are times when the needs of rliildren should take precedence over their rights. "Comments heard frequently around the court room these dayssuggest 'our hands are tied,"`we're supposed to care for kids but we can't control them...a lot of times, we can't even find them' and `sooner or later a kid's going to be hurt and so- meone's going toask us why I wasn't doing my job."' he said. Since the Young Offender's Act was pro- claimed in 1984, only six youths have con- sented to a recommendation of treatment Goderich co ,1 L efore rihts put forth by a mental health practitioner and a youth court judge. The Act requires that young people consent to their own treatment. "Rarely will a disturbed young person have the maturity or insight to acc de to their own treatment needs and ence treatment for that group is all but post," said Leschied. "Maybe we're putting undue stress on young people by asking them in a court of law about their treatment. When I was 14, I don't think I could make those kinds of judgements." Leschied called for a compromise bet- ween civil rights and children's needs. In order to achieve a compromise, he said ad- vocates of the "Child Saver movement" of the 1900s must come forward. The Child Savers movement began at the turn of the century in reaction to the neglect and usury of children who were NALSI G 138 YEA R - 18 placed in work camps as early as age 10, were frequently denied education and were placed in Kingston Penitentiary alongside adults. By the late 1880s in Ontario a group of concerned adults wanted to convince society that children were more than miniature adults and that childhood was a unique stage in human growth. They also wanted legislation to ensure that the special needs of vulnerable children were met through the resources of the community. "In reviewing the writings of some of the more reknowned child'savers of the time, such as J.J. Kelso, expressions such as care and compassion, prevention of juvenile crime and child -saving are used unabashedly." "It is interesting to note that our modern day concepts of prevention, maintaining Turn to page 2 GODERICH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 1986 rm.% 60 CENTS PER COPY Members of the Goderich Fire Department battled a house fire at the home of Willia McCallum, 192 Wellington Street, Goderich Tues- day' for several h s before the smoke was under control. Thick smoke poured from e one -store home and firefighters had to smash boles in the roof to get at the source. Damage estimates were not available, but the interior of the house was gutted.. No injuries were reported and cause of the fire was not known at press time. (photos by Dave Sykes) Tower is o threat safety ® BYYUARON DIETZ A hydro tra smission tower located 1.8 miles east of the threshold to the Goderich Airport Runway 28is a threat to safety, the chairman of the Goderich airport commit- tee told the hydro hearings in Clinton Tuesday. Any obstruction within the confined area of the airport is a definite hazard, Richard Wright told the hearing. "Thepilot is con- centrating on his approach and other air- craft and he could. fluctuate as much as 50 to 100 feet (in altitude):" The Consolidated Hearings Board, an . impartial three member, board, has been hearing submissions concerning., the pro posed hydro transmission corrkdbr from the Bruce Nuclear Power Development through Huron County to London. The board has, been hearing submissions from groups and individuals since the preliminary hearings opened in Guelph in November 1985. The hearings continued in Markdale and London before coming to Clinton. Wright, a retired airforce pilot who con- tinues flying privately,, has been a member of the Goderich airport committee since its inception in September 1974. He has .,, nd ani ;nstrr-us ent-navigation as -well - as as air traffic control experience. Wright said he has concerns about the location of the proposed transmission route, because the location of the tower at the end of the runway will be difficult for student and some seasoned pilots to see even when they are using visual flight rules. He said if a pilot has to avert his eyes to the cockpit instrument panel to change a frequency, he could drop in altitude as much as 50 to 100 feet and it could create a problem clearing the tower. -Tarn to page 3 Annexation recommended to cabinet After a closed session at Goderich coun- cil's Apr. 21 meeting, council decided to hold considerations about property owned by Lawrence and Donald Crich in abeyance until May 12 when a decision will be made. , The Crich's "45 acre property, which ad- joins the east side of Goderich's industrial park, is the subject of an uncontested an- nexation agreement between the town and Goderich Township. Minister of Municipal Affairs Bernard Grandmaitre told council in a letter that he will be recommending to Cabinet that ac- tion be taken to implement the annexation agreement between the town and Goderich Township since the two municipalities agree on the boundary adjustment. Course offers support for heart patients BY SUSAN HUNDERTMARK In February, 1985, Bill Tugwell, of Goderich had three heart attacks followed byfour by-pass operations in April. When he came home from the hospital, he was very sore and very scared. For the first eight weeks, his wife had to help him lie down and get up again. He was unable to even carry a bag of • groceries into the house. "I was scared I was going to strain omething if I did any physical activity. ;, There 'was an awful tightness around my chest which was part of the healing pro- cess and I thought I was never going to he good for anybody ever again," he says. Hut, the onothing that gave him strength before undergoing his • operation, was a .man in London who talked to Tugwell Uabottt Ong 't rough heart by-passoper& aiiirttn,'self. "Before the operation, I wondered if I was going to make it. I thought I was see- ing my family for the last time. But, when this man Walked into the room at Victoria) Hospital who'd been through it himself, he gave me a lift. If he could make it, I was damned sure I could," says Tugwell. Helping someone else in the same way is what Tugwell hopes to achieve.by being in- volved in n-volvedin the new Heart -to -Heart course which starts this Thursday, May 1 in Goderich. Sponsored by the Heart and Stroke x''oundation, the course is aimed at helping people Who've had "heart problems cope With their •conditions and their changing lifestyle. "The course is designed to let people know that heart problems don't mean°'the' end of the world. You can come badittr6gY . your problems and live a good life," says Barb Guse, the facilitator of the course. Topics covered by the course will in- clude the heart's functionsand disease, treatment of heart disease, forms of _medication, how to reduce risks, nutrition, physical activity, dealing with stress, ear - 1 diopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and psychological aspects of heart disease. "Probably the biggest drawback is the way you see yottrself after a heart. attack. Getting people to think positive is the big thing," says Guse. Iienial, anger and depression are euro- tions many .heart patients and their families experience after a heart attack. The sessions on psychological aspects -will help people understand their reactions to serious illness, • "Hea rt attack of cat critical event in anyone's life. Coming up against your own mortality is awesome; going on afterwards is tough. An old, com- fortable way of life has suddenly, changed and the prospect of making a new one for • patient, partner and family, is overwhelm- ing," says literature on the course. That's why the course is offering infor- mation and support for people who can use it most ".eople can come to the nine week co rse n their own of can be referred by t • iractor., The' fee is $30 but it will be d if cost is abproblem. It's preferred if the heart patient is ac- companied by a supportive person such as a mate or friend but patients can come on their own if they prefer. The introductory session will be help at 48 0,0g:004 i the Bluth County Housing Turn to papa Hydro will cut power to fix insulators Ontario Hydro is planning a power inter- ruption to about 1000 customers in the Port Albert and Auburn area on Sunday, May 11 from midnight to 5 a.m. The power cut is necessary to allow Hydro crews to change insulators' at the Goderich transformer station. Recent studies indicate that the in- sulators at Goderich Transformer Station on Highway 8 have deteriorated to such an extent they could fail at any time. Should this happen, the result would be an exten- sive power cut off several hours duration to 8500 customers supplied from Groderich transformer station. This would include the towns of Goderich, Bayfield and Clin- ton as well as rural customers in the sur- rounding area. A five-hour interruption must be taken so the Hydro line crews can work safely on de-activatedequipment at the transformer" station. "Careful planning of the insulator replacement project means that power will be interrupted at kime that will in- convenience as few caromers as possi- ble," says Clinton area manager, Gord Yohn. "During the interruption, Hydro operators will re-route power to keep on the majority of customers fed from Goderich transformer station". About 1000 customers will be affected by the interruption in East and West Wawanosh, Ashfield, Colborne and part of Mullett townships._ As_ well,.. the Domtar Inc. Salt Mine in Goderich and the W.G. Thompson Feed Mill near Port Albert will be without electricity during the replace- ment work. If bad weather forces cancellation of this essential work on May 11, it will be rescheduled for May 25 from midnight to 5 FYamily Bike Ride promotes Health Day Goderich families who want to participate in a healthy activity can take part in the Fun Family Bike Ride on Sunday, May 11 at.1:30 p.m. beginning at the south sidewalk at the Courthouse Square. • "The point of the ride is to promote the idea of enjoyment. Fitness doesn't always have to be a hassle," says Cheryl Gilbert, of the Huron County Health Unit. She adds that the ride would be a good family activity to participate iii when families get together for Mother's Dv on May 11. There will be refreshments and route maps available. The ride promotes this year's theme for Canada Health Day on May 12 which is "Helping you stay healthy." Along that theme, placemats containing acts about. maintaining; - health,, wilh. be distributed to local restaurants' 'thi'nughout Huron County. The placemat gives information about the amount of caffeine in different drinks, how to reduce salt in your diet, tips to take care of your heart, information about alcohol and the wise way to lose weight. "I think people are more aware of their responsibility for their own health. They realize the doctor can't always fix them up," says Gilbert. e i neer . You could be a winner! Read the classifieds every week during April, May and June. Your name may be buried in a classified ad and you could be the winner of a nice prize from one of our participating merchants. INSIDE THE SIGNAL -STAR Successful show Up to 3,500 people attended the three day Home and Garden Show in Goderich on the weekend. See today's community front for pictures of the displays, entertainment and fashion shows.. Something new Bedford Hotel cher Bernie Verge's entry in the tenth annual Culinary Arts Show and Awards Dinner held in London recently won him a gold medal. Read about this achiwevernent on today's community front. Open season Goderich's'Vikings look impressive in the early stages of this year's soccer season as they racked Op three wins and a tie bet- ween thea in Huron -Perth Soccer action this wee.